The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

I'm looking for information about Abu/Diawa closed face reels. The models and their year of production. I'm looking to buy a reel for trotting. I'd like to team it up with one of my 1960's rods. Can anyone help?

Hi Teifi,
You'll find much excellent info on these reels through the pages of 'Traditional Reels' on this site posted by people more expert than myself...my two 'go to' trotters are a 501 and a 507 (the latter with the anti reverse pawl removed). Both good reels for this purpose if nicely serviced (they are pretty straight forward to strip down and clean, and there are spares available - particularly for the 501). I'm sure there are some good ones at a reasonable price on the 'Bay of Plenty', but maybe some 'dogs' too, so maybe a TFF member may be looking to part with one. 507's seem to be highly desirable, and prices seem to reflect this. I've fitted new aluminium spools to mine with rubber instead of the chenille found on the 501's plastic spools, which seems to make a difference to smooth trotting. Clutch with pawl still in may be described as an 'interesting experience' if you happen on something of a moderate size, although the 507/8 was intended for Salmon spinning if I remember correctly.
However, owning and having stripped down 4 507's, 1 508, 1 503 1 505 and numerous 1's, 6's and M's , I do wonder / think if the 503 has better quality metal for its gearing, and may be a tad more durable, although not as adjustable in the field. The 506 and 506M are good, but again I remove the pawl.
The 507 is my personal favourite having taken good double figure carp with it (obviously not trotting) - an interesting experience, with a 'ting ting ting' from the reel under tension whilst backwinding, but it keeps keeping on.
I personally don't rate the Daiwa closed face reels, but someone else may be better placed to do so.
Regards Cat

Ps, there are good schematics available on-line.

PPS, For trotting, I team a 501 or 506 with an Edgar Sealey Featherweight, and a 507 with a Bernard Sealey Flik-tip...latter a bit short, and designed, I think, as a light bottom / swing-tip rod, but does the job.

I like using a 505 on my B&W Trotter (fibreglass), but, purely from my own point of view, I think that the 500 series look a bit odd on a cane rod. The 505 is the only one of the series that date into the 1960s with the 506 being introduced in 1970. Here's an early history of them written in the 1980s:

http://www.realsreels.com/reels/halfenc ... fault.html

The guy in the pictures is Dave Thomas who became World Champion after a gruelling match on a flooded Warwickshire Avon. I remember being pegged next to him shortly afterwards I a canal match.

Another reel to consider is the Crack 400 which in the dull green paint finish of the early versions looks suitably vintage on cane. It also happens to be quite a decent reel.

If you are after a closed face reel then there is only one to go for; the MKI ABU 507.

Fanastic for trotting because of it's wide spool, now which can be sought in far superior plastic. I know how good they are from experience trotting on rivers. The advantage over the 501 etc was the larger spool; more line lay and less tightly packed. I had two, I have no idea why I sold them but miss them to this day. I bought both of mine from Youngs Of Harrow who were ABU specialists.

Yes long live the MKI ABU 507!

SeanM wrote: ↑Wed Jan 23, 2019 10:13 pm The guy in the pictures is Dave Thomas who became World Champion after a gruelling match on a flooded Warwickshire Avon.

A float master. I remember watching him at the World Championship Match on the Avon (Evesham I think) when he was 'accidently' fishing overdepth. All the English chaps know he was basically laying on but luckily he managed to keep the float moving. There was or is a rule where the bait must be kept moving...

SeanM wrote: ↑Wed Jan 23, 2019 10:13 pm I like using a 505 on my B&W Trotter (fibreglass), but, purely from my own point of view, I think that the 500 series look a bit odd on a cane rod. The 505 is the only one of the series that date into the 1960s with the 506 being introduced in 1970. Here's an early history of them written in the 1980s:

http://www.realsreels.com/reels/halfenc ... fault.html

The guy in the pictures is Dave Thomas who became World Champion after a gruelling match on a flooded Warwickshire Avon. I remember being pegged next to him shortly afterwards I a canal match.

Another reel to consider is the Crack 400 which in the dull green paint finish of the early versions looks suitably vintage on cane. It also happens to be quite a decent reel.

Thanks for putting the link on Sean that was a very interesting read.

Indeed, the 505 is listed in Mr Crabtree's Guide from 69. My parents bought me a 501 in 1979 when I was 12 from Bates in Stafford...it was a thing of wonder...I thought I'd received a piece of a spaceship, and couldn't put it down (nothing"s changed really)!
I agree with the above chaps that the wider spool of the 507/8 makes a difference, with less bedding in.

Mr Crabtrees guide to good fishing tackle (1969) recommends the ABU 505 on page 47. I quote... Used by top match anglers. Totally enclosed spool eliminates chance of line-tangle. Push button line release when casting, plus many other attractive features.